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 My Story: A Journey Out Of Hell And Into Freedom!

What worked for me? My compulsive eating and addictions were transformed through learning about self-care.  I didn’t like the results I was getting, and I realized:

 If I continue to do what I’ve always done,

I’ll continue to get what I’ve always gotten.

 To change seemed overwhelming, so I thought: How to swallow an elephant?

        One bite at a time!  That is,  small baby steps ...lead to success. Ya-a-ay!

I’ve lost 170-250 pounds (my dad said I weighed 400 pounds; but I remember weighing only 320) and I’ve maintained the loss for over 35 years. I’ve also been drug and alcohol-free for over 20 years.

Early in my life, I created the causes and made the daily choices that led to my being overweight and unhealthy. Then, step-by-step I have created the daily choices to be thin and healthy. Gradually, I transformed my whole life—one bite at a time! My life has been a demonstration of the Laws of Cause & Effect or Sowing & Reaping.

Self-learning was required since I didn’t come with an instruction manual that answered these questions for me:

• What kind of body fuel should I eat? How could I find a food plan I could follow for life? How could I fix quick and delicious meals and snacks in the midst of a busy day?
• How often should I “fuel up” my body? See “Defining a Plan of Eating” in the Essential Skills section.
• What kind of body movement and activity was best for me? What activity would I enjoy for a lifetime? How much? How often?
• What kind of nurturing activities would help maintain my buoyancy and delight in life and fill up my well of reserve? How would I establish and continue healthful social relationships? How could I keep all of these relationships in balance?
• What kind of spiritual discipline would help me maintain my innermost connection with my deepest sense of openhearted aliveness?  How do I daily find time to nurture this relationship?
• How would I discover resources and supports that provide structure, insight and a process for on-going life transformation, guidance, and balance?
• How would I practically apply these awarenesses in the day-to-day adventures of life?

My unhealthy habits; negative, self-defeating attitudes; and self-destructive overeating were firmly entrenched--so it took lots of practice, patience, persistence, and positive attitude to persevere on this personal odyssey of adventurous wondering. I decided to celebrate a healthy lifestyle—to cultivate the attitude of joyous effort—an attitude of excitement and fun—the fun of lifelong learning.

What It Was Like:

Bob at 260 pounds—my high school graduation picture—I weighed over 100 pounds more

I started out life weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces; and I reached 320 (my dad said that I weighed 400 pounds) with a 57” waistline by 16.  I now weigh 157 pounds.  I have maintained this weight for 35+years. 

My excess body weight was the result of all the daily choices I made. The patterns those choices formed, were on these levels: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, discovering and applying balance in lifestyle, and mental.

               Copyright © 2001-2008 Bob Wilson BS, DTR  All Rights Reserved. Articles are for personal use only. Please request permission for other uses. Thanks!